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Flood ProtectionAlthough Tampa is a "City on the Water"...it is not the Hillsborough River or the tidal waters of Tampa Bay that cause the most flooding problems. The primary cause of flooding in Tampa is rainfall from our frequent and sometimes intense stormy weather. Tidal water can flood the Interbay Peninsula and the banks of the Hillsborough, but it's the rainfall that creates the problems we notice most often. The water may not be deep, but it can damage property and even pose a threat to personal safety. Are you in a flood hazard area?Currently, the FEMA is in the process of developing new digital flood maps for Hillsborough County and portions of the City of Tampa. For the latest information on whether a property is in or out of the floodplain please visit either the FEMA Map Service site or Hillsborough County’s Map Update Site. Either of these sites will allow you to query the database using your address. The Department's Planning Division, located on the 6th floor of the Tampa Municipal Office Building at 306 E. Jackson Street in Downtown Tampa and the Construction Services Division at 1400 North Boulevard have copies of the current, adopted, flood maps that indicate whether you live in a flood hazard area. Both of these locations also have information on flooding problems in specific, localized areas which do not show up on the FEMA flood hazard maps. If you are considering buying a property and are not sure if it floods, information on past flooding is also available on the Redline Workspace, available at both locations. Flood maps and information on flood protection can also be found at any public library. Additional information on Flood Zones, Insurance, and many other flood protection topics can be found at the FEMA website.. Stream Flow and Flood WarningReal-time stream flow data is available from the United States Geological Survey. This agency maintains a number of stream gages which can provide warning of flooding in the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County. For real-time data first access the index page at USGS and then click on your stream of concern. Both the Hillsborough River and Curiosity Creek have gages you can access in real-time. If You Have a Flooding Emergency... or a drainage problem, please contact the Department's Stormwater Maintenance and Operations Division at (813) 622-1901. Maintenance personnel will investigate the complaint and respond accordingly. If the drainage system requires cleaning or repair, it will be prioritized along with other maintenance projects. Flooding problems that are not maintenance related will be referred to the planning division for investigation and recommendation. Maintenance Division personnel can also suggest ways to stop flooding and prevent damage to your property. Please fill out and print the flooding questionnaire (requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view) and fax it to Stormwater Operations at (813) 622-1958 or mail it to: Stormwater Operations, 3806 E. 26th Avenue, Suite C, Tampa, Florida 33605. You Can Help Prevent FloodingThe City’s efforts to be successful in flood control depend on your cooperation. There are several ways you can help prevent Stormwater Pollution and keep our waterways clean. Do not place any debris - lawn trash or otherwise - in stormwater inlets, ditches or other waterways. This includes grass clippings; which should be blown back onto the yard or vacuumed, not blown into storm inlets. Dumping into the drainage system can easily create blockages and when it rains the water has nowhere to go, resulting in flooding. It is a violation of City of Tampa Code Chapter 21-9 to dump into any public drainage system. The house you flood may be your own. Always check with the Construction Services Center (CSC) before you make changes such as grading, filling, or construction on your property. The changes you have planned may require permitting to ensure that your project does not cause problems for your neighbors. The Planning Division maintains a ‘Red line List" of flood prone property. Development in these areas might be restricted. Call the Construction Service Center for more information (813) 274-3100. If you see someone dumping anything into stormwater inlets, ditches or other waterways, report it to the Stormwater Operations office (813) 622-1901. If you see an active construction site and there is no City permit posted, report it to Inspectional Services (813) 259-1761. Protect Your PropertyYou can take an active role in protecting your property from flood damage. The method you choose depends on your particular situation and may include more than one of the following: You can divert water from your property by regrading or by constructing an earthen berm. (This may require a permit, check with the CSC). Sandbagging alone is not an effective method for protecting a structure from flooding. You must caulk to keep water out. Expanding foam and duct tape are more effective than sandbags but can damage finishes. The construction of swales (a shallow ditch) and retention areas (small shallow depressions) are other effective methods of preventing flooding. You will need to consult with the City for permit and design information for these methods. The City has copies of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) publications which detail many ways of flood proofing or repairing your home or business. To review these publications just contact the Construction Services Center and ask for publications 210 and 234. If roof drainage from your home is creating a problem, gutters can help direct the runoff away. Another way of protecting a building from flooding is by raising the building. This can be expensive but may be cost effective. Flood Insurance is Available to All Property OwnersHomeowner’s insurance policies do not cover damage from flooding, so you may want to talk to your insurance agent about purchasing a separate flood insurance policy. Since Tampa is a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program, flood insurance policies are available to its citizens. If you have flood insurance because your mortgage holder required it, it may not cover the loss of contents. Note: If you exceed 50% of your home’s value with improvements or repairs and you are in a special flood hazard area ("A" and "V" zones) the house must be brought up to current code standards, including elevating to above the base flood. Safety FirstIf you suspect the onset of flooding, the first thing to do is turn off the electricity and/or gas. If possible, move valuable contents upstairs or to an elevated area. Since you will probably not have much time to act, it is a good idea to have a flooding checklist ready just to make sure you don’t forget anything valuable or important. Stay Away From Flood WatersYes, the number one cause of death during floods is drowning. High water often conceals storm drain inlets and the depth of ditches. The currents in these ditches can be very strong and it doesn’t take much moving water to make walking impossible. Driving Through a Flooded Area is Dangerous and ExpensiveRemember this: More people drown in their cars than anywhere else! Do not drive through flooded intersections. DRIVE AROUND. Street flooding makes ditches hard to see. Another important reason for avoiding flooded intersections is the potential damage to your car. Many newer cars draw air - thus water - from as low as ten inches. This water can ruin your engine quickly. Do Not Approach Electrical LinesThe number two cause of death in floods is electrocution. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Report emergency service outages to Tampa Electric Company at (813) 223-0800. Turn Off Your ElectricityNever use electrical equipment or appliances that are wet. Some electrical devices store electricity even after they are unplugged and are potentially dangerous. Check For Gas LeaksUse a flashlight to check for damage to gas appliances and supply lines. In case of a flood you should turn off your gas. Watch Your StepPay attention to where you are walking. Flooding leaves trash including broken glass, nails, and mud. Be Alert for AnimalsBeware of snakes and insects. Flooding displaces small animals, so they may look for higher ground in and around your house. Floodplains are ImportantOur floodplains provide natural buffers for reducing flood damage and are important habitat for many diverse species of wildlife. The Upper Hillsborough River and its tributaries are now Outstanding Florida Waters and are protected to ensure their continued usefulness for both the citizens of Tampa and the environment of Florida. Important Phone NumbersCity of Tampa Residents:
Hillsborough County Residents:
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